A Call to Action: Virtual Conferences? The Exhibitor’s Strategy is Virtually the Same
By Ed Pierce, Fleet Industry Marketer
The year 2020 will go into the annals as disruptive for both the fleet industry and fleet industry marketing. One need look no further than the havoc created by the fallout both economically and operationally to companies with fleets, fleet service providers, and relevant trade associations.
Yet, with all of the change, trade associations like NAFA, AFLA, NETS, and others have quickly adapted to the event industry's new normal to allow marketers to benefit from virtual conference participation.
As mentioned in previous years' "Call to Action" columns, exhibitor participation can shorten the typically long sales cycle decision-making time. It can help initiate or bolster relationships between sales and multiple sourcing team members. It also provides a unique opportunity for captive-audience product differentiators or user experience demonstrations.
Time to Prepare for a Grey Fleet Boom
By Ed Dubens, Founder/CEO of eDriving
Throughout the world many sales fleets are experiencing dramatic reductions in business mileage while simultaneously service and last mile distribution fleets are operating at holiday peak plus!
With predictions that a large proportion of employees are likely to continue working from home until at least March 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to have a significant effect on fleet and driver management planning and resourcing.
If employees officially become home-based workers, they may no longer be eligible for a company vehicle, or having one might not make financial sense. Becoming a home-based worker also affects what constitutes a “business trip”. Even the commute, when it’s made, could become a business trip depending on an employee’s location classification. If company-owned vehicle use decreases, privately-owned vehicle use will almost certainly increase.
What does this mean for organizations? It means exciting new challenges lie ahead!
A Better Curb Service for Cities and Fleets
Coord is building a system to coordinate activity on busy city curbsides. It’s a bit like air traffic control for the curb.
AFLA Membership Offers Ways to Connect and Learn
In the age of COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to find ways to connect with and learn from other fleet professionals - like AFLA’s monthly virtual coffee break series, for example. If you’re not currently a member of AFLA, it’s definitely worth your consideration!
Fleet EVs Alone Can’t Beat Global Warming
How we generate electricity is the biggest problem
By Mark Boada, Executive Editor
For many who accept that humans are causing global warming, switching from fossil-fueled transportation to electric vehicles (EVs) is a major, if not the single most important part of the solution. So, we see cities and countries across Europe and Asia setting dates for bans on the sale and driving of vehicles powered by gasoline and diesel, and fleets setting aggressive goals for electrification within the next five to 10 years.
But while studies show that by converting to EVs fleets in North America can make a contribution, and start making it today, they can’t do it alone. Not even the entire transportation sector can do it alone. The reason: “dirty electricity,” electricity generated by the burning of fossil fuels.
